Am I making a mistake?

[preferajag]

I have just made a commitment for my first tractor - Now I hover between excitment with the thought of having a new toy, and buyer's remorse at the thought that I have not made the right choice.
My situation is that I live on 30 rocky acres in UT at 7000 feet. we keep horses - so I need to shovel!, I have to build an exercise ring, and maintain up to 1/3 mile of road.
Oh - I also have 6 feet of snow each year - afterall this is a ski resort /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

I started looking for a 4WD 35 hp tractor with loader and backhoe. I have neighbors with a K 2850 (bit small) and an 45HP M series (too expensive!) Budget was limited to used based on a top $18K.

I looked at several used Kubota - seemed expensive for the tired look at approx 1000 hrs, I also saw a JD 933 (33HP) with Loader and Backhoe - but that had 2500Hrs and was very battered for the $18500 quote.
Today I homed in on a 2000 Cub Cadet 36hp 7836SS - 17 hrs on the closk and a virtually new model 408 backhoe and an Allied loader. I liked the driving position and the build quality. Only problem I saw - on the spec - was the apparently low hydraulic pressure, and pump output. However at $17K it looked good.

Should I cry into my beer, or open the champagne?

All comments and advice welcome

 

[JayC]

Congratulations! I don't think you'll be disappointed. Btw, did you mean to say the 7360SS? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Also, if you can how about a pic or two when it arrives? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bird]

Keith, my first inclination is to say "open the champagne". If it's what you like, and a price you can afford, then it's the right one. But I'd have to know more; sure wonder about a 2000 model of anything with 17 hours on the clock. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[rozett]

Keith, you will be very pleased with your new 'tool'. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I also own a 3760SS, that I bought slightly used @ 90 hours. That was 3 years ago. I work it hard... pulling stumps, brush mowing, working the manure pill, and field prep for christmas trees and berries. It does all that I ask and I have had no problems (that I didn't induce myself /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif ). I have the Cub (made by Woods) 485 FEL and would love to find a Cub backhoe for it.

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

I say champain. You got a good tractor for less than your budget.

 

[preferajag]

Thanks for your response. There is so little operator data on this the Cub Cadets that it is hard to make a considered judgment. I should get it delivered in the next couple of weeks so I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks